Five Ways to Prepare for the GMAT

If you’re serious about business school, then taking the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) should be your first step. The GMAT is accepted by more than 6,000 business and management programs worldwide, (including Boston College’s MBA program), because it is considered the best predictor of your success in a graduate program. Feeling some pressure? Here are five study tips that will help get you GMAT-ready.

1. Pick the best study materials. It’s tempting to buy every study guide you see, but spare yourself the time…and money. Stick with the most trusted sources, like the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC)‘s official guide. (Who’s more reliable than the test makers?)

2. Utilize practice tests. Registered users at MBA.com can access free GMATPrep Software, featuring ninety free questions, two full-length practice tests, a comprehensive math review, and more. Similar to the actual exam, these practice tests use an adaptive question algorithm, which increases the level of difficulty as questions are answered correctly.

3. Learn strategies, not facts. The GMAT differs from other tests in that it is an assessment of your ability to solve problems and think critically, not of your ability to memorize material. Develop an eye for recognizing patterns through short but frequent study sessions.

4. Take it while the content is still fresh in your mind. About to graduate college and thinking you might want to take the GMAT at some point in the future? Do it soon. You’ll still be in test-taking mode and, hopefully, can use recent studies in quantitative and analytical subject matter to your advantage.

5. Pace yourself. GMAT test takers often run out of time, which is unfortunate, because incomplete answers can lower your score. There are test taking strategies available (spend two minutes on this type of question, one on that one, etc.), but the most important thing to work on is pacing yourself. Know when to move on when you’re sure you don’t know an answer.

If you’re ready to take the first step towards an advanced business degree, register for the GMAT today. Want to know more about Boston College’s Carroll School of Management MBA program?